United Group sends anti-torture draft law to parliament leaders

The renowned law firm, United Group, announced on Sunday that it sent an anti-torture draft law to the parliamentary speaker, deputies and heads of blocs, calling on them to push the legislation through a referendum.

The draft law consists of 17 articles that include, for the first time, a provision that holds the director of the prison or detention centre criminally responsible for the crimes of torture that are committed inside the detention centre or prison he/she manages.

The draft law also includes a definition of torture based on both the rulings of the Egyptian Court of Cassation and the definition listed in the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

The draft law also provides for amending torture-related articles of the penal code. It further mandates the state to provide free-of-charge physical and psychological treatment to victims of torture and mistreatment, in addition to social rehabilitation and compensation.

According to a statement from the firm, United Group sent a copy of the draft law to the presidency. However, they did not receive a response.

Negad El-Boraie, director of United Group, was summoned for interrogation last June for submitting the draft law. Two judges, Assem Abd Al-Gabbar and Hisham Raouf, were also summoned for investigation over taking part in drafting the law in April 2015.